Spring. That wonderful time of year when the sun shines, the flowers bloom, kids look forward to summer vacation and the retirees leave the Sun Belt for their "real" homes in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Matthew 24:32.
We used to live in Pennsylvania where our snowbirds would return each spring, Jeremiah 8:7, tanned and relaxed, Song of Solomon 1:6a, ready to get out on the new spring grass of the golf course, Isaiah 66:14. Now our church is in Phoenix, so in the weeks following Easter, our pews seem discouragingly empty, Psalm 32:4.
This seasonal migration has a particularly demoralizing impact on our choir, which is a "bless-their-hearts" bunch at its best, Nehemiah 1:3. If MDH didn't leave the pulpit to provide his strong bass, we wouldn't have much of a choir at all, Psalm 18:1. Sensible souls would call it quits when the snowbirds leave, but we somehow manage to struggle through a few more weeks before disbanding after Pentecost, Nehemiah 12:40.
While we hate to see them go, we can hardly blame the snowbirds for wanting to avoid summers in Phoenix, Jeremiah 50:12. It does get toasty warm here through June and July. Also in August, September, and much of October, if you must know, Job 37:17. And although the heat
may be uncomfortable, Hosea 7:7, it rarely causes our water pipes to burst, and almost never makes cars skid out of control, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.Looking out the window, I see that it's a mild 101 degrees this afternoon, Song of Solomon 2:11. The hesperaloes and yucca are blooming, my Vitex tree is in bud, and it
looks as if the hummingbird eggs might have hatched in the Palo Verde, Song of Solomon 2:12. Yesterday we had quail running along the back wall, and if we leave the windows open tonight, we'll hear coyotes singing, Song of Solomon 2:15.Pretty soon it will be high summer in the desert. I think we'll stay.
Visit Sidekicks Clergy Spouse Network
No comments:
Post a Comment